Africa-Press – Kenya. Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei believes the 46-member team to represent Kenya at the World Athletics Under-20 Championship will return a memorable performance at the August 17-22 event.
Tuwei said the 24 men and 22 women have the capacity to cope with the pressure of putting on a good show as the host nation and replicating the excellent performance of Team Kenya at the last edition in Tampere, Finland in 2018.
“It is not going to be easy because this is the first time we are hosting a junior event of this kind in the country. Our athletes performed very well in the last edition in Finland and led the medal table. Anything that involves a World Championship is never easy but I am sure with much training these athletes can perform better,” Tuwei said.
Tuwei further said meticulous preparations by different stakeholders since last year has ensured the country ends up with the strongest team possible to do duty on home soil.
“I would like to thank our regions and affiliates for preparing their teams and bringing them from their places of domicile to this place so that we can select the final team. I would also like to thank the youth sub-committee of AK for the wonderful programme and preparations they put in place for these trials to ensure this selection process,” he said.
The final team was named after three days of trials during which close to 500 junior athletes from across the country and beyond converged at Moi Stadium, Kasarani to stake their claim for a place in Team Kenya.
The athletes will return to their respective bases for the next fortnight to clear up on any issues related to their studies before reporting for residential camp on July 15.
Echoing his president’s words, Barnaba Korir, AK’s director of the youth sub-committee, said the juniors are close to attaining peak conditions in their performances.
“On the technical side, it is clear that the levels are quite high as evident from the performances today. They are about 80 per cent ready to compete at the global level. We want them to enter residential camp and train for quite a longer time to fine-tune them for the championships,” Korir said.
Also present at the closing ceremony were Ministry of Sports CAS Simon Kachapin and Olympics Kenya president Paul Tergat, among others.
Full Team
Men
High Jump: Sid Markus
Discus : Titus Kiptoo
High Jump: Dennis MainaS
hot Put: Dominic Kiprotich
Javelin: Wilson Letunyie
10,000m walk Harrington Wanyonyi
400m H: Peter Kithome, Allocious Kipngetich
110m H: Patrick Muindi
3000m: Bernard Kibet, Daniel Kinyanjui
100m: Sylvester Simiyu
400m: Elkanah Kiprotich, Edwin Kipyegon
1500m: Vincent Keter, Emmanuel Lemama
200m: Jonathan Muasya
5,000m: Levi Kibet, Benson Kiplangat
800m: Noah Kibet, Emmanuel Wanyonyi
3000m S/C: Simon Kiprop, Amos Serem
Women
High Jump: Zeddy Chesire
Discus Linda: Kageha
Javelin: Martha Musaai
Triple Jump: Fatuma Winny
Long Jump: Zeddy Chesire
Shot Put: Maureen Milka
10,000m walk: Margaret Gati
400m H:Agnes Ngumbi
100m H: Agnes Ngumbi
5,000m: Maurine Cherotich, Zena Jeptoo
100m: Mercy Chebet
400m: Sylvia Chelangat
3000m Teresia Muthoni, Zena Jemutai
1500m: Purity Chepkurui, Winny Jemutai
200m: Louise Morara
800m: Sheila Chepkosgei, Brenda Chebet
3000m S/C: Jackline Chepkoech, Faith Cherotich
